LA Galaxy new boy Steven Gerrard believes the attacking chemistry he built with club captain Robbie Keane during their time together at Liverpool will help make the MLS Cup holders an even more formidable force moving forward.

Gerrard, 35, enjoyed a dream MLS debut on Friday night in a playmaking role behind Keane, combining with the hat-trick hero to beat archrivals San Jose Earthquakes 5-2 at the StubHub Center.

As well as scoring his first goal for the club, the Englishman also earned the 30th-minute spot-kick for his former Liverpool teammate’s equaliser and set up his second after the break from a set piece, as LA rallied from 2-0 down to record a resounding win.

Speaking to the Galaxy’s official website on his connection with Keane, who he played with at Anfield between 2008 and 2009, Gerrard said: “We had that chemistry at Liverpool. When you’re playing with good players, it’s easy to connect.

“Robbie’s on my wavelength. He’s a very intelligent player, who’s been here for many years.

“He’s the league’s MVP so, for me, it’s quite easy to connect because I know where he’s going to be and have a great understanding with him.

“I’m sure that relationship’s only going to get strong and, when we add [fellow summer signing Giovani] Dos Santos into the mix as well, he could have a formidable front line moving forward.”

Keane has been one of the shining stars of MLS since arriving from Tottenham Hotspur in August 2011, recording 62 goals and 39 assists in 96 regular-season games, as well as winning the league’s MVP award last season after helping LA win their third title in four campaigns.

A calf strain saw the Irishman make a slow start to this term, though, as Bruce Arena’s men drew seven of their opening 17 matches and scored just 16 goals after missing their star skipper for a seven-game stretch.

However, with the ex-Spurs striker now back fit, the California outfit have been in astonishing form of late, winning four of their past five MLS games, while scoring five goals in three of those victories.

Freddie Shires

Freddie is a freelance sports writer, having recently completed an MA in Sports Journalism at St. Mary’s University, Twickenham. With an especially keen interest in all things American sports-related, he has written extensively about the NFL, MLS and the U.S. national team for various sites.